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Counties Manukau vs Tasman Mako Predictions - Tasman Mako tipped to continue their dominance against Counties Manukau in NPC clash

Nigel Williams

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Last updated: 1 hour ago

Nigel Williams 1 hour ago

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asman Mako have won 4 of the last 5 meetings vs Counties Manukau.
Counties Manukau are bottom of the table after 3 straight losses.
Prediction: Tasman Mako to cover the -8.5 handicap.

Tasman Mako tipped to continue their dominance against Counties Manukau in NPC clash (Getty Images)

Counties Manukau vs Tasman Mako Predictions

Tasman Mako are firm favourites given their dominant head-to-head record. My best bet is Tasman Mako to cover the -8.5 handicap.

Counties Manukau has lost the last 3 matches.
Counties Manukau lost to North Harbour 59-19 in their last match.
Tasman Mako has won 4 of the last 5 matches against Counties Manukau.
Tasman Mako has won 1 of their last 3 matches.
Tasman Mako lost 50–19 to the Hawke's Bay Magpies in their last match.

Head-to-Head

Tasman Mako has won four of the last five meetings against Counties Manukau.

Counties Manukau Form

Counties Manukau were crushed 59–19 by North Harbour in round two of the 2026 Hilux NPC at North Harbour Stadium, after trailing 38–5 at halftime. North Harbour dominated with nine tries.

Josh Gray, Ioane Moananu and Cam Church were the try-scorers, while AJ Alatimu added two conversions.

Counties Manukau have struggled for form, losing their last three matches. They lost to Canterbury (23-15), Taranaki Bulls (20-5) and North Harbour (59-19).

Counties Manukau sit at the bottom of the NPC table with 0 points after two matches of the 2026 campaign.

Counties Manukau Injuries & Team News

Starting XV: 1 Jarred Adams, 2 Ian West-Stevens, 3 Tom Polo, 4 Leo Ngatai-Tafau, 5 Jimmy Tupou, 6 Alamanda Motuga, 7 Adam Brash, 8 Cameron Church, 9 Jonathan Taumatein, 10 Jackson Rainsford, 11 Tuna Tuitama, 12 Tevita Ofa, 13 Blake Makiri, 14 Josh Gray, 15 Adam Morrison.

Replacements: 16 Ioane Moananu, 17 Ezekiel Lindenmuth, 18 Atu Moli, 19 Veikoso Poloniati, 20 Jonty Short, 21 Melani Matavao, 22 AJ Alatimu, 23 Sione Molia.

Tasman Mako Form

Tasman Mako lost 50–19 to the Hawke's Bay Magpies in Round 2 of the 2026 National Provincial Championship (NPC) at McLean Park, after trailing 33–5 at halftime.

Tasman Mako try-scorers were Eli Oudenryn, Dylan Irvine, and Maloni Kunawave, while William Havili added 2 conversions.

Tasman Mako have been in poor form, winning one of their last three matches. They lost to Bay of Plenty (27-7), beat North Harbour (31-29), before losing to Hawke's Bay (50-19).

Tasman Mako are 11th in the NPC table with five points after two matches of the 2026 campaign.

Tasman Mako Injuries & Team News

Starting XV: 1 Ryan Coxon, 2 Richie Asiata, 3 Kershawl Sykes-Martin, 4 Hunter Leppien, 5 Antonio Shalfoon, 6 Johnny Lee, 7 Rory Scott, 8 Matt Lowe, 9 Noah Hotham, 10 William Havili, 11 Kyren Taumoefolau, 12 David Havili, 13 Nic Sauira, 14 Timoci Sauira, 15 Fletcher Hewitt-Smart.

Replacements: 16 Dylan Irvine, 17 Tom Heywood, 18 Sione Mafi, 19 Lopeti Faifua, 20 Tayne Hemopo, 21 Wil Thornalley, 22 Cooper Grant, 23 Jake Pacey.